Meta Platforms Inc. is readying plans to introduce virtual tokens and cryptocurrencies to its family of apps to use such virtual tokens for rewarding creators and lending and other financial services.

The move, which is reported to be in its early stages, comes as Meta grows its focus on services centered around the metaverse, a virtual environment where people interact, work, and play.

If implemented, it could also give Meta a new revenue channel and control over transactions in its suite of apps and services, which include Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and the Meta Quest virtual reality platform, Reuters reported on Thursday.

Meta’s cryptocurrencies, internally dubbed “Zuck Bucks”, are intended for the metaverse and may not be based on blockchain, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.

Meta could introduce in-app tokens that would be centrally controlled by the company, the report said, and such tokens could be used to pay favorite creators on Instagram or reward people who make meaningful contributions to Facebook groups.

Mark Zuckerberg, Chief Executive Officer of Meta, said last month that Instagram will introduce non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in the “near term”.

Earlier this year, Meta joined the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA), a group of companies led by Jack Dorsey’s Block Inc. that has pledged to promote open access to cryptocurrency technologies.